5/4

Today, Robert and I addressed a few design features on the obstacle course. We tested the Boe-Bot several times on the obstacle course, which resulted in needing to rearrange some of the electrical tape. We also talked about the final presentation with Mrs. Vestal. Lastly, we discussed edits we need to make in our report. We're nearing the end of the semester and we're looking forward to presenting our project!

4/29

On Wednesday, we spent the entire day constructing the obstacle course out of foam core board, creating the electrical  tape path, and programming the Boe-Bot to follow the electrical tape. We found line following programming for 3 QTI sensors online. We couldn't follow the programming given to us in the line follower attachment instructions because it was for 4 QTI sensors. We had to modify some of the online programming, but it worked! We ended up staying an extra two hours. The physics professor was kind enough to let us use the corner of his classroom during his class.

I took the foam core boards home and started drawing details on them to make them look more like roads.

We came in early on Friday and finished coloring the obstacle course as well as connecting the boards with packing tape and trying to figure out how to program the Boe-Bot to complete a continuous 3-point turn. Until this point, we had to stop and program the Boe-Bot for each individual movement needed to complete a 3-point turn during its performance of the routine. We knew we had to include subroutines in our programming, but we didn't know how. After looking for online advice, we learned how to create subroutines and added two different subroutines: one for stopping at intersections and one for pivoting backwards (useful for the 3-point turn). The programming took 4 hours to complete, but now the Roadbed 3000 completes a continuous route!!

This weekend Robert and I are working on the report. We divided the responsibilities and we plan to finish the report by Monday so that we can practice the presentation on Monday during class. Robert is a great partner and I'm looking forward to our final presentation! It's going to be great!

4/27

Before class today I felt there was endless work to be done in order to finish our project, but Robert and I were able to accomplish so much during class (we stayed an extra hour) that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! We started by continuing our efforts with installing the line follower from last week. We were having trouble with our far right sensor. It sensed black, even when we put it on a completely white paper. It was really frustrating! After switching out the sensor and the  corresponding wire, Robert and I decided to look for an option to use only 3 sensors for the line follower. We found a video of a line follower using only 3 sensors so we knew it was possible. Then we found a website that had the exact instructions and diagrams for what we wanted to do and it included the related programming. After reconstructing the whole line follower system and entering the programming, we tested each of the sensors and they worked! It was really exciting! We moved on to programming the Boe-Bot so that it would "follow" the line by moving along a black line on a white surface; however, when we tested the programming our Boe-Bot wouldn't move at all. We went back to the basics and tested the servos (wheels) and they didn't work. That was super frustrating, but we checked all of our connections and found out that our VIN, VDD switch was broken. The switch had chipped earlier in the project and now it wasn't functioning at all. Robert and I scrounged around the room for extra parts and we found an unused Boe-Bot so we switched the switches. We tested the line follower programming again and our Boe-Bot moved the distance of the electrical tape. It was so amazing to see our hard work....well working! We spent the last minutes of class planning out the obstacle course. Robert had brought in foam core and lego buildings to help us visualize the course. We searched online for the actual NC driving test route on Google Maps as remembered from experience and we started marking roads on the posterboard. We're nearing the end of the project and I'm really excited to present our final prototype! On Wednesday, Robert and I are going to construct and test the obstacle course and delegate report responsibilities.

4/22

Today, Robert and I installed the line follower mechanism on our Boe-Bot. We also programmed and tested the line follower as seen in Figure 1; we are still in the process of troubleshooting it. The line follower mechanism allows the Boe-Bot to distinguish between light and dark areas. This quality is perfect for an obstacle course because we can lay down black electrical tape on a white background and program the Boe-Bot to "follow" the black electrical tape lines.

Figure 1 Adding the line follower to the standard Boe-Bot.

Robert and I also discussed the required objectives our Boe-Bot will perform to match those of the North Carolina road test that teenagers complete in order to receive a state driver's license. Below, Figure 2 explains our list of objectives in order from start to finish. These objectives were researched online and recalled from personal experience taking the road test.

Figure 2 The list of tasks performed during a NC road test to be performed by the Boe-Bot.

The last thing we did during class was plan out the obstacle course for the road test. The obstacle course is based on the actual route used for the NC road test. Figure 3 is the rough sketch we will use to create the obstacle course for the Boe-Bot to navigate. We've decided to use foam board as the foundation for the obstacle course and electrical tape as the lines for the Boe-Bot to follow. The obstacle course will be explained in detail next week when we start to construct it.

Figure 3 The rough sketch of the obstacle course that the Boe-Bot will navigate based on the actual route taken by students during the NC road test.

4/20/15

Today, Robert and I met for the first time in 2 weeks. Robert explained to me the construction of the Boe-Bot (which he finished quite fast) and the basic programming tools. We downloaded the Parallax programming software and centered the servos (motors that turn the wheels). We proceeded to practice basic programming objectives out of the microcontroller handbook. Robert showed me the line follower and the obstacle course construction pieces he brought from home. They're perfect! For the rest of the week, we will continue to work on programming the Boe-Bot and designing the obstacle course!

4/15

I was not in class today, but Robert informed me he is going to take the Boe-Bot home and work on programming as well as finishing up constructing the device so that we can stay on schedule. Last week, I completed most of the paperwork so he could begin construction this week. During the planning phase, I informed Robert of my absences and we agreed this would be a good way to ensure everyone remained involved in the project even though we wouldn't be able to meet for two weeks.

4/13

I was absent on 4/13. However, Robert worked to stay on schedule by beginning to construct the Boe-Bot. On Monday, we hit our first obstacle. We didn't realize that the Boe-Bot had to be programmed before it was constructed and so Robert is working on integrating this new information into our WBS schedule. This new info may require additional work outside of the classroom.